Shutter mechanisms for photocomposing apparatus



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A. F RIEDMAN Sept. 22, 1959 3 SheetsfSheet 1 FIG. I

INVEN TOR W FIG.

FIG.

FIG. FIG. 2

A. FRIEDMAN sept. 22, 1959 SHUTTER MEcHANIsMs Foa PHoTocoMPosING APPARATUS Filed AprilsO, 195e 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mvE TOR @A Sept l22 1959 A. FRIEDMAN 2,905,068

SHUTTER MECHANISMS FOR PHOTOCOMPOSING APPARATUS e I t' United States Patent O ce med sep, 2 5,

and improved shutter mechanisms for photocomposing apparatus.

SHUTTER MECHANISMS FOR PHOTOCOMPOSING APPARATUS Allan Friedman, Highland Park, Ill.

Application April 30, 1958, Serial No. 732,025

9 Claims. (Cl. 95-4.5)

This invention relates to shutter mechanisms for photocomposing apparatus and more particularly to shutter mechanisms for selectively providing light passage through only one of a plurality of optical paths in a photocomposing apparatus.

In an application of J. Gardberg, Serial No. 705,659, led December 27, 1957, and entitled Photocomposing System, there is disclosed a photocomposing apparatus wherein a set of characters to be printed is disposed on an optical font as opaque iigures of transparent print spaces in the font. The font contains a plurality of vertical, double rows of characters, and the left-hand row of each such double row contains upper case characters and the adjacent right-hand row contains lower case characters. The characters are also arranged in a plurality of horizontal, double rows wherein the upper row of each such double row contains characters which are more-commonly used, and the adjacent lower row contains characters which are less-commonly used. This particular structure is also disclosed more fully and claimed in my application Serial No. 694,019, led November 1, 1957, and entitled Methods of and Apparatus for Photocomposing Text Material.

In each of the above-identified applications, a horizontal double row of characters is selected by opening one of five shutters. A vertical, double row of characters selected by energizing one of a plurality of associated liash lamps. Four characters are located at the intersection of the selected shutter and the energized flash lamp, and one of such characters is reproduced, photographically, depending upon the vertical and horizontal positionment of the type font. The present invention is concerned generally with providing a parallel-shutter mechanism for such a photocomposing system while retaining the many advantages of the system, such as a compact array of characters on the type font. Such a shutter mechanism includes a plurality of parallel shutters having apertures formed therein and movable between at least two positions.

In all such parallel-shutter systems devised heretofore, the mechanisms for moving the shutters between their two positions have been actuated by groups of signals in binary code form. An inherent disadvantage of such prior art systems is that the spaces between apertures in the shutters, that is, the distance between optical paths which pass through the shutters, must be greater than the diameter of the apertures. This undesirable location of apertures in the shutters must be made in the so-called binary-code shutter systems since a given aperture must either be in alignment with an optical path or displaced therefrom so that the space between it and an adjacent aperture prevents the passage of light through the optical path. With such prior art systems the characters on the type font cannot be spaced closely since their positionment is dictated by the center lines of the widely-spaced apertures in the shutters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new It is another object of the invention to provide new and improved shutter mechanisms for selectively permitting light passage through only one of a plurality of optical paths in a photocomposing apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide new and improved shutter mechanisms wherein apertures formed in the shutter are closely located so that the space between adjacent optical paths is less than the diameter of the optical paths.

With these and other objects in view, a shutter mechanism for photocomposing apparatus, illustrating certain features of the invention, may include a plurality of parallel shutters, each of the shutters being movable between two positions, means defining a plurality of optical paths which pass through the shutters, the optical paths having predetermined widths and paths adjacent in the direction of movement of the shutters being spaced apart a distance which is less than any such width, each of the shutters having a plurality of apertures formed therein and means for selectively moving one or more of the shutters from one of their positions to their second positions to align predetermined apertures in each of the shutters with an optical path.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following description, when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

Figs. l and 2, when assembled as depicted by Fig. 3, show a photocomposing system including. one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a type font which is used to describe the present invention;

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an aperture arrangement in the shutter mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a vertical elevation of a structure for mounting the shutters shown in Figs. 2 and 5 and for operating such shutters between two positions; and

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

A partially-functional and partially-schematic diagram of a photocomposing system including the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The block diagram portion shown in Fig. 1 is similar in function to the system described and claimed in the above-identified Gardberg application. In that application, apparatus is described for reproducing characters in text material by photocomposition and for justifying the lines of such text material. In the system, signals indicative of characters to be reproduced and functions used in the reproductions of such characters energize oscillators which place exclusive arrangements of magnetic spots on a magnetic storage tape corresponding to such characters and functions. A printer is then energized by the magnetic spots on the tape to cause the actual reproduction, photographically, of the text material. Fig. 1 shows structure for performing these functions and which is described in detail in the Gardberg application.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a magnetic tape 10 has applied thereon a plurality of magnetic spots which are indicative of the characters in the text material to be reproduced and functions used in the reproduction of such characters. These magnetic spots cause either or both of two pickup heads 11 and 12 to be energized, and any signals developed -therein are amplified by ampliiers 15 and 16, respectively. Outputs from the ampliiiers 15 and 16 are passed through predetermined ones of a plurality of lters 17-17 and 20-20. Outputs from any energized ones of the filters 17-17 are applied to a 5-to-31 converter 21 and are instrumental in selecting a character in a manner which will be described more fully herein below. Assuming that a character is being selected, and referring to Fig. 2, outputs from the 5-to-31 converter 21 cause an image of the selected character to be projected onto a light-sensitive sheet 22 which is secured to a rotatably-mounted and longitudinallymovable cylinder 25 (Fig. 2).

As successive characters are selected, the cylinder 25 is`rotated a distance equal to a predetermined set width of such character, and a line of the text material is thereby reproduced on the light-sensitive sheet 22. In order to provide line feed for the text material, the cylinder 25 is moved longitudinally of its axis. With respect to the rotation of the cylinder 25 in accordance with predetermined set widths of characters and functions, signals which pass through the filters -20 are applied to a 4-to-15 converter 26 Which causes such rotation of the cylinder 25. This structure is described in detail in the Gardberg application, and no further reference to such structure need be made herein.

Returning now to the S-to-31 converter 21, as described in the Gardberg application, upon the selection of each character, an output signal therefrom is applied to an output lead 27 and through an associated diode 30 to one of tive leads 31 to 35, inclusive. Also, upon the selection of any character to be reproduced, the potential which is applied to one of the output leads 27-27 is passed through a diode 40 and to one of five leads 41 to 45, inclusive. The leads 31 to 35, inclusive, are connected to a Hash lamp control circuit 50, and output potentials therefrom energize a predetermined one of five flash lamps 51 to 55, inclusive. Also, in the system described in the Gardberg application, leads similar to the output leads 41 to 45, inclusive, are connected to five horizontal and pivotedly-mounted shutters in the photocomposing system. Therefore, in that system, the selection of a character causes a potential to be placed on one of the five leads 41 to y45, inclusive, to open one of the shutters in the system, The system described in the Gardberg application has been illustrated brieiiy herein in order to show one system in which the present linvention may be utilized. The remaining structure shown in Fig. 2 differs from that described in the Gardberg application since one feature of the present invention concerns the operation of parallel shutters in lieu of the five pivotally-mounted shutters in the prior system.

Referring now to Fig. 2, three shutters, which will be referred to hereinafter as shutters A, B and C, are provided and are mounted for vertical movement between two vertical positions. The shutters A, B and C are moved between their two positions by corresponding solenoids, which will be referred to hereinafter' as solenoids A, B and C, respectively. To operate the solenoids A, B and C, the five leads 41 to 45, inclusive, are connected to the circuit shown in Fig. 2. For reasons which will become more apparent herein below, the lead 45 is unnecessary for the operation of the present shutter mechanism. The leads `41 to 44, inclusive, are connected to one or two of three leads 60, 61 and 62 through diodes 65 to 70, inclusive, in a diode matrix. The lead 41, for example, is connected through the diode 65 to only the lead 62. The lead 42 is likewise connected to only the lead 61 through the diode 66. The leads 43 and 44, however, are connected to two of the leads 60 to 62, inclusive, through associated diodes. Consequently, upon the selection of a given character, when a positive potential is caused by such selection to be applied to the lead 43, this positive potential will be applied through the diodes 67 and 68 to the leads 60 and 62, respectively.

A positive potential on the lead 60 is passed through a coupling capacitor 75 and to the control grid of a normally-nonconductive, right-hand side of a duotriode vacuum tube 76 in a relay-control circuit 77, The two sides of the tube 76 are connected as a bistable flip-flop, wherein the right-hand side is normally non-conductive and the left-hand side thereof is normally conductive. Upon the application of a positive potential to the control grid of the right-hand side of the tube 76, this side is rendered conductive, its anode potential drops, and this drop in potential is applied through a resistor 80 to the control grid of the left-hand side, thereby rendering this latter side nonconductive. When the left-hand side of the tube 76 is rendered nonconductive, its anode potential increases, and the increased potential is applied to the control grid of a triode 81, thereby rendering the triode conductive. Connected into the anode circuit of the triode 81 is a relay, designated by the letter A in Fig. 2. When the triode 81 is rendered conductive, the relay A is energized, and an armature 82 associated therewith is drawn up to abut a contact 85. Consequently, a positive potential source 86 is applied through the armature 82 and over a lead 87 to the solenoid A. The solenoid A is energized thereby to move the shutter A from its lower position shown in Fig. 2 to an upper position.

In a similar manner, when a positive potential is applied to the lead 62, it is passed through a capacitor 9) and to a relay-control circuit 91 which is similar to the control circuit 77 and which causes energization of a relay C. When the relay C is energized, a positive potential source 92 is applied through an armature 95 associated therewith to energize the solenoid C. Consequently, the shutter C is moved upwardly thereby. In a similar manner, when a positive potential is applied to the lead 61, it is impressed through a capacitor 96 and applied to a relay-control circuit 97, similar to the circuits 77 and 91, for energizing a relay B. As in the previous cases, a positive potential source 98 is impressed, through an armature 99 associated with the relay B, to energize the solenoid B to move the shutter B upwardly.

The energization of predetermined ones of the solenoids A, B and C moves the shutters A, B and C, respectively, associated therewith upwardly to permit light to pass thruogh a row of optical paths which pass through the shutters A, B and C. This specific structure will be described more fully herein below. For the present, however, assuming that such a row of optical paths is open to the passage of light through the shutters A, B, and C upon the selection of a predetermined character, the selection also causes the energization of the proper one of the flash lamps 51 to 55, inclusive, in the manner described in the Gardberg application. Consequently, light from the energized flash lamp passes through only the selected character which is printed on a type font 100, and an image of such character passes through the now-open optical path in the shutters A, B and C. The remaining optical paths which are open will have no light passing therethrough since only one ilash lamp is energized. As described more fully in the above-identified applications, this image is passed through a lens system, including a plurality of small lenses 101-101, a large collimating lens 102, and a mask 105 which permits only the character image to pass therethrough and which excludes all other extraneous light to the light-sensitive sheet 22 on the cylinder 25.

Referring now to Fig. 4, a typical type font is shown, and this font is of the type described in both applications identified above. The font 100 includes tive vertical double rows of characters, designated by the numerals 111 to 115, inclusive. It will be noted that the characters in the left-hand row of each vertical row are upper case characters and that the characters in the right-hand row of each such row are the corresponding lower case characters. The type font 100 is also con structed so that there are five horizontal double rows of characters designated 121 to 125, inclusive, and wherein the upper rows thereof contain characters which are more commonly used, and the lower rows thereof contain characters which are less-commonly used. As described in the two applications identied hereinabove, the font 100 is moved vertically and horizontally a distance of a single row or a distance of one-half of a double row. Such Vertical and horizontal movement is effected by two solenoids 126 and 127, respectively (Fig. 2). Referring to the font 100 in Fig. 4, it will be noted that all upper case, common characters are in alignment with one of the small lenses 101-101. In the case depicted in Fig. 4, the type font 100 is said to be in the upper case, common position. Energization of the solenoid 127 will move the font 100 in a horizontal direction and to the left a distance of a single row. Consequently, all lower case, common characters will be in alignment with the lenses 101-101. In a similar manner, if the font 100 shown in Fig. 4 is moved upwardly, by the solenoid 126 a distance of a single row, all upper case, uncommon characters Will be in alignment with the lenses 101-101. With this structure, many characters can be reproduced with relatively-few lenses such as the lenses 101-101. With the font 100 of Fig. 4, eighty-four characters can be reproduced Iwith only twenty-one of such lenses.

Referring now to the shutter mechanism shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, a practical apparatus for mounting the shutters A, B and C is shown in the latter figure. The solenoids A, B and C are secured by suitable means to a frame 130, and their armatures are secured to three rods 131, 132 and 133, respectively, which depend therefrom. The rods 131, 132 and 133 are mounted for vertical movement within apertures 13S-135 in a bracket 136 which is secured to the frame 130 by bolts 137-137, and within apertures 140-140 in a bracket 141 which is similarly secured to the frame 130. The shutter A is secured to the rod 131 by a plurality of screws 142-142. In a similar manner, the shutter B is secured to the rod 132, and the shutter C is secured to the rod 133. The solenoids A, B and C are shown in their de-energized condition in Fig. 6 so that the rods 131, 132 and 133 and the shutters A, B, and C are shown therein in their lowermost positions. These members are -urged to these lower positions by springs 14S-145, associated with the solenoids A, B and C. It will =be noted that the shutters A and B, in their lower positions, abut the lower bracket 141, while the shutter C is located a predetermined distance above the lower bracket 141.

The lower positions of the shutters A, B and C and the relationships of various apertures 151-151, 152-152, and 153-153 formed, respectively, therein are shown more clearly in Fig, 5. The circles shown in Fig. 6 illustrate the relationship of these apertures with the lenses 101-101 and represent either apertures in the shutters A, B and C or the lenses 101-101. Since the shutter A is the rst in the series of shutters, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 6, the apertures 151-151 therein are shown in solid lines in Fig. 6 and define optical paths which pass through characters in the lower two double rows 121 and 122 of the type font 100. The third row of circles from the bottom shown in Fig. 6 is in dashed lines and represents` either the upper row of apertures 152-152 in the shutter B or the upper rowof apertures 153-153 in the shutter C, both of which are in alignment when these shutters are in their lower positions.

The fourth row of circles from the bottom in Fig. 6 is in dashed lines and represents the fourth row of lenses 101-101 since no apertures of the shutters A, B and C are at this level when the shutters are in their lower positions. Finally, the ifth or upper row of three circles shown in Fig. 6 is in solid lines and represents the upper row of lenses 101-101. Since each lens 101 is in alignment with a character on the font 100 (see Fig. 4), it can be seen in Fig. 6 that when all of the shutters A, B and C -are in their lower positions, the upper, horizontal, double row 125 on the font 100 is exposed so that none of the solenoids A, B and C need be energized upon the selection of a character in this double row. This is the reason that the lead 45 in Fig. 2 is not used in the present system since the rest positions of the shutters A, B and C are actually used to select and reproduce the characters in the upper, horizontal double row 125 of the font 100. With the shutter system shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, this double row of characters is exposed to the lenses 101- 101. When the shutters A, B and C are in their lower positions, a particular one of the characters therein is selected in accordance with which of the flash lamps 52, 53 and 54 is energized. Consequently, the lead 45, which is associated with the selection of the characters in the double row 125 and which s used to operate the upper pivoted shutter in the Gardberg application, is not needed in the present shutter system.

Referring now to the shutters A, B and C shown in Fig. 5, and keeping in mind that these shutters are superimposed one over the other, an outline of the type font is shown over the shutter A in order to show its relation with respect to the apertures in the shutters. Further, the shutters A, B and C are shown in their lower positions so that the upper, horizontal, double row on the font 100 is exposed to the lenses 101-101. Upon the selection of any of the shutters A, B and C, by the solenoids A, B and C, respectively, the selected shutter is moved upwardly for a distance equal to the distance between optical paths which pass through the shutters. For example, referring to the lower row of apertures 151-151 in the shutter A, the inner three of these apertures are in alignment with the lower three lenses 1011-101. Similarly, the upper row of apertures 151-151 in the shutter A are in alignment with the second-lowermost row of lenses 101-101.

It can -be seen in Fig. 5 that there are no apertures 152-152 in the shutter B which are in alignment with the upper row of apertures 151-151 in the shutter A. Consequently, the space between the two rows of apertures 152-152 in the shutter B prevents the passage of light through the upper row of apertures 151-151 in the shutter A. But there are actually tive optical paths or potential light paths located in the space between the two rows of apertures in the shutter B. For this reason, the optical paths through the shutters and, hence, the apertures in the shutters A, B and C can be spaced very closely together, as can be the lenses 101-101. Thus, the shutter mechanism embodying the present invention has a great advantage over parallel-shutter mechanisms which are actuated by groups of signals in binary code form. In the latter types of shutter mechanisms, Spaces between apertures in shutters must be greater than the distance between adjacent optical paths, and the apertures in such systems are actually displaced from optical paths so that the spaces between apertures can prevent the passage of light through such optical paths. With the shutter system shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, the spaces between optical paths which pass through the shutters can be less than the diameter of the paths or than the diameter of the apertures. In other Words, the diameter of any of the apertures such as the apertures 151-151 in the shutter A is greater than one-half the distance between the centers of two vertical apertures 151-151. Since the location of the lenses 101-101 and the characters on the font 100 are determined by these distances, the lenses 101-101 and the characters of the font 100 can be placed more closely together with the shutter mechanism embodying the present invention.

With the particular shutters A, B and C shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, and referring to Fig. 5, the lower group of apertures 151-151 in the shutter A and the lower group of apertures 152-152 in the shutter B are in alignment with the lower, horizontal double row of characters 121 on the font 100. Which of the characters, the upper case common, the lower case common, the upper case uncommon or the lower case uncommon, are in alignment with the lower group of apertures 151-151 in the shutter A and the lenses 101-101, is determined by the energization of the solenoids 126 and 127. In any event, no optical paths will pass through the lower, horizontal, double row 121 in the font 100 because the lower end of the shutter C, having no apertures therein, blocks the PaS-Sage of light through Such optical paths. With respect to the second, horizontal double row 122 of characters on the font 100, the shutters A and C have apertures 151- 151 and 153-153, respectively, in alignment therewith, but the shutter B has no apertures 152- 152 in alignment with them. Consequently, when the shutters A, B and C are in their lower positions as shown in Fig. no passage of light can pass through the optical paths associated with the double row 122 and through the shutters. The same is true for the third, horizontal double row 123 since the shutter A has no apertures 151-151 in alignment with this row, even though the apertures 152- 152 in the shutter B and the apertures 153--153 in the shutter C are in alignment therewith. Likewise, when the shutters A, B and C are in their lower positions, no light can pass through the fourth, double row 124 even though the shutter A does not cover this row. It can be seen, by referering to Fig. 5, that the shutters B and C prevent such passage of light through this row at this time. As mentioned hereinabove, light can pass only through the upper, double row 125 of the font 100 when the shutters A, B and C are in their lower positions.

To illustrate the operation of the shutter mechanism embodying the present invention, assume that an upper case A is to be reproduced by the photocomposing system shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As described in the Gardberg application, the selection of the upper case A causes a positive potential to be applied to the left-hand lead 27 Iand through the diodes 30 and 40 associated therewith to the leads 31 and 42, respectively. A positive potential on the lead 31 will be applied to the left-hand ash lamp 51, as viewed in Fig. 2, to energize this flash lamp. Consequently, the left-hand, vertical double row 111 on the font 100 will be illuminated by the llash lamp 51. It will be noted that the double row 111 includes the upper case A, and it will be assumed that the solenoids 126 and 127 are so energized to place the font 100 in the upper case, common position. The positive potential on the lead 42 is passed through the diode 66 to the lead 61 to operate the relay-control circuit 97 and to energize the relay B. Consequently, the armature 99 is drawn up, and the positive potential source 98 is applied to the solenoid B to energize this solenoid and to move the shutter B to its upper position. Consequently, only the shutter B is moved to its upper position, and the shutters A and C remain in their lower positions.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it can be seen that the shutter B was blocking, when in its lower position, the passage of light through the upper row of apertures 151-151 in the shutter A and the lower row of apertures 153- 153 in the shutter C. Consequently, when the shutter B is moved by the solenoid B to its upper position, the lower row of apertures 152-152 in the shutter B will be in alignment with the upper row of apertures 151-151 in the shutter A and the lower row of apertures 153-153 in the shutter C. Consequently, light can pass through the tive optical paths in this row since rows of apertures in all three shutters A, B and C are in alignment. Referring to the superimposed type font 100 in Fig. 5, it can be seen that light can now pass through the characters in the double row 122 thereof. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the upper case A is in the double row 122. Therefore, since it is assumed that the font 100 is in the upper case, common position and that the vertical row 111 was illuminated by the tlash lamp 51, and since the horizontal double row 122 is now open :as far as the passage of light therethrough is concerned, there is an intersection between the vertical double row 111 and the horizontal double row 122, and the upper case A is at the center of such intersection. Consequently, light will pass only through the upper case A in the font and will be reproduced on the light-sensitive sheet 22 on the cylinder 25.

When a character in the horizontal row 123 of the font 100 is to be reproduced, a positive potential appears on the lead 43 (Fig. 2). Consequently, this positive potential passes through the diodes 67 and 68 and is applied to the leads 60 and 62 to energize, respectively, the relays A and C. As a result, the solenoids A and C are energized, and the shutters A and C are moved to their upper positions thereby. With the shutter A in its upper position, the upper row of apertures 151-151 therein is in alignment with the double row 123 of the type font 100. The upper row of apertures 152 in the Shutter B is already in alignment with the double row 123 so that this shutter was not moved to its upper position. Also, while the upper group of apertures 153- 153 in the shutter C is in alignment with the double row 123, this shutter is moved by the solenoid C to its upper position to prevent the passage of light through the upper double row 125 of the font 100. When the shutter C is so moved, the lower group of apertures 153- 153 therein is in alignment with the double row 123 of the font 100. Consequently, any character in the horizontal, double row 123 of the font 100 can be reproduced, depending upon which of the flash lamps 51 to 55, inclusive, is energized and in what position the solenoids 126 and 127 have placed the font 10U.

In a similar manner, when a character in the horizontal, double row 124 of the font 100 is to be reproduced, a potential is applied to the lead 44 and through the diodes 69 and 70 to the leads 61 and 62. Positive potentials on the leads 61 and 62 will cause the energization of the relays B and C and the movement of the shutters B and C to their upper positions. Referring to Fig. 5, it can be seen that the shutter A always exposes the double row 124 in the font 100 to the passage of light when it is in its lower position. Consequently, the shutter A was not moved to its upper position. When the shutter B is moved to its upper position, the upper row of apertures 152-152 therein is in alignment with the double row 124 in the font 100. Also, when the shutter C is moved to its upper position, the upper row of apertures 153-153 therein is in alignment with the double row 124, and the upper, solid portion of the shutter C blocks the passage of light through the upper, double row 125 of the font 100. Therefore, light can pass only through the double row 124 in the font 100, and the character therein which is reproduced depends upon the energization of the ilash lamp associated therewith.

Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be noted that dots appear within certain of the circles shown therein. Those circles having a dot in the center thereof are either apertures which are in alignment with the lenses 101101 or, as in the upper three circles, are the lenses 101-101 themselves. In any event, it can be seen that there are twenty-one lenses to accommodate the eighty-four characters on the font 100. It will also be noted that the lenses 101-101, and hence, the apertures within the shutters A, B, and C can be grouped very closely together. As a result, the optical paths which pass through the shutters A, B and C and which selectively cause the projection of an image therethrough are also closely spaced together. Unlike the so-called binary code systems in the prior art, the distances between adjacent optical paths need not be greater than the width of such a path. As a result, the optical paths which pass through the shutters A, B and C can be closely spaced, and apertures in the shutters corresponding to adjacent light paths can be spaced apart by a distance which is less than the diameter of the apertures.

Referring now to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 7, five shutters designated D to H, inclusive, are shown. These shutters are shown in their lower positions, corresponding to the lower positions of the shutters A to C, inclusive, in Fig. 5. Various combinations of the shutters D to H, inclusive, can be moved to upper positions, for a distance equal to the vertical distance between two adjacent optical paths, by ysuitable means such as that provided for the shutters A to C, inclusive. Since five operating potentials must be provided for the five shutters shown in Fig. 7, all ve of the leads 41 to 45, inclusive, would be used to operate these shutters. These leads would be passed through a diode matrix substantially similar to that including the diodes 65 to 70, inclusive, to provide positive potentials on different and exclusive combinations of five output leads therefrom, and these output leads could be connected to relay-control circuits similar to the circuits 77, 91 and 97, to energize relays and solenoids corresponding to the relays A to C, inclusive, and to the solenoids A to C, inclusive. Such structure can easily be provided by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the operation of the shutter system shown in Fig. 7, it will be noted that twenty-one dots appear within the boundry of each shutter. These dots represent the center line of the twenty-one lenses 101- 101 in the lens system of the photocomposing apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The dots also are representative of the optical paths through the shutters D to H, inclusive. Again, each of the shutters D to H, inclusive, is shown in its lower position in Fig. 7 so that the relationship of the shutters with respect to the lens system can be easily seen. When any shutter is moved to its upper position, it is moved vertically (by rods similar to the rods 131 to 133, inclusive) a distance equal to the distance between two vertical aud adjacent dots, that is, the distance between optical paths. Again, it can be seen that since the apertures in the shutters D to H, inclusive, are moved between adjacent optical paths and not between alignment with an optical path and displacement therefrom, the apertures can be spaced very closely together, and the optical paths which pass therethrough are also spaced closely together. More particularly, unlike prior tart binary code systems, the space between horizontal or -vertical optical paths is less than the diameter of such paths, as dened by the apertures in the shutters D to H. As a result, many more optical paths can be provided with the shutter mechanism shown in Fig. 7 in a given area than with other prior art systems.

The operation of the shutter system shown in Fig. 7 will be described by using the center lines of the lenses lill- 101, as represented by the dots in Fig. 7, as reference points. As mentioned hereinabove, there are twenty-one dots to correspond to the twenty-one lenses 101--101. There are three lenses 101-101 in the upper row thereof, ve in each of the second, third and fourth rows from the top row, and three in the fth or lower row. Consequently, there are defined thereby twentyone optical paths, and the passage of light therethrough depends upon the settings of the shutters D to H, inclusive. Considering the left-hand dot in the shutter D as the l path, and counting to the right in this row, then doing the same in the succeeding lrows beneath the rst row, the numbering system shown on the shutter D can be used to illustrate the operation of the system shown in Fig. 7. For example, in order to open the optical path designated by the numeral 1, the shutter D may remain in its lower position, the shutters E, F and G must be moved to their upper positions since no aperture appears therein in the l paths, and the shutter H may remain in its lower position since an aperture is formed therein corresponding to the optical path designated by the numeral l in the shutter D. Therefore, to show how light can pass through each of the optical paths designated l to 21, inclusive, on the shutter D, assume that when a shutter is allowed to remain in its that when the shutter is moved to its upper position a distance equal to the distance between optical paths or dots, it is in its x position.

With these assumptions, the chart given herein below shows which of the shutters D to H, inclusive, must be moved to their upper positions and which must remain in their lower positions in order to permit the passage of light through all of the twenty-one optical paths through the shutters.

ONOONONNNONONONONOONO XNNOOOOONNMNNOOOOOMNN OONQNNOONOONMONNOOOOM #QNMNOONOONNONNNMOOOGM OONOOOOOONMOONOONNOOO It can be seen by referring to the chartrand to Fig. 7, that to allow light to pass through the optical path designated ll on the shutter D, all shutters except the shutter F were moved to their upper positions. This is done even though the shutter G has an aperture in the ll path. If the shutter G were not moved to its upper position, light would pass through the 2 path. The same is true for operating the shutter G to open the l2 path even though this shutter has an aperture in this path. If it were not placed in its upper position, the 3 path would also be opened when the 12 path is reopened. It is also obvious that since the various selections of the shutters D to H, inclusive, opens only one optical path to the passage of light, the live ash lamps shown in Fig. 2 are not necessary for the shutter mechanism shown in Fig. 5. If desired, one large ash lamp may be substituted for the live individual lamps shown in Fig. 2, and the large flash lamp would be energized upon each character selection.

It will again be noted that with the shutter mechanism shown in Fig. 7, the distances between light paths are the same as for the shutters shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6. It will also be appreciated that for the system shown in Fig. 7, the optical paths which pass through the shutters may be more closely spaced than in other systems devised heretofore. Like the previously-defined embodiment, the distance between adjacent optical paths in the shutter mechanism shown in Fig. 7 is less than the diameter of the light paths. In other words, the diameter of apertures in alignment with adjacent light paths is greater than one-half of the distance between the centers of the apertures. As with the first embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 will permit a greater number of characters to be positioned in a given area of the font 100. Also, as in the previous embodiment, the circuitry for operating the various shutters in the system embodying the invention is considerably less complicated than that necessary in systems devised heretofore.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments of the invention are simply illustrative of the principals thereof and that numerous modifications and embodiments of the invention may be devised within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A shutter mechanism for photocomposing apparatus, which comprises a plurality of shutters, means for lower position it is in its o position. Assume, also, mounting the shutters in an arrangement parallel to a plane and for movement between two positions in the direction of the plane, means defining a plurality of optical paths which pass through the shutters normally thereto, each of the optical paths having a predetermined width and paths adjacent in the direction of movement of the shutters being spaced apart a distance which is less than such width, each of the shutters having formed therein a plurality of apertures which are in alignment with a predetermined number of the optical paths when the shutter is in both of its two positions, and means for selectively moving predetermined ones of the shutters from one of their positions to their second positions to align predetermined apertures therein with a predetermined optical path.

2. A shutter mechanism for photocomposing apparatus, which comprises a plurality of shutters parallel to a plane and disposed serially in a direction normal to the plane, means for moving the shutters between at least two positions in a direction parallel to the plane, means defining a plurality of parallel optical paths which pass through the serially-disposed shutters in a direction parallel to such disposition, each of the optical paths having a predetermined width and adjacent paths being spaced apart a distance in the direction of movement of the shutters which is less than such width, each of the shutters having formed therein a plurality of apertures which are in alignment with a number of the optical paths which is less than the total number of such paths when the shutter is in both of its positions, and means for selectively moving one or more of the shutters between the two positions to align predetermined apertures therein with a specific optical path.

3. A shutter mechanism for photocomposing apparatus, which comprises a plurality of shutters, means for mounting the shutters parallel to a plane in a serial arrangement normal to the plane and for movement between two positions in the direction of the plane, a plurality of optical paths which pass through the shutters in the direction of the serial arrangement thereof, each of the shutters having formed therein a plurality of apertures of predetermined widths with each of the apertures in alignment with a first predetermined optical path when the shutter associated therewith is in one of its positions and with a second predetermined optical path adjacent to the first optical path when the shutter is in its second position, the space between apertures n alignment with optical paths which are adjacent in the direction of movement of the shutters being less than the width of the apertures, and means for selectively moving one or more of the shutters between the two positions to align predetermined apertures with a specil'ic optical path.

4. A shutter mechanism for photocomposing apparatus, which comprises a plurality of shutters parallel to a plane, means for mounting the shutters in a series and movable to two positions in a direction parallel to the plane, means defining a plurality of optical paths which pass through the shutters in a direction which is normal to the plane, each of the shutters having formed therein a plurality of circular apertures which are in alignment with a predetermined number of optical paths when the associated shutter is in both of its positions, the diameter of the apertures in alignment with optical paths which are adjacent in the direction of movement of the shutters being greater than one-half of the distance between the centers of such apertures, and means for selectively moving one or more of the shutters between the two positions thereof to align predetermined apertures in the shutters with an optical path.

5. In a photocomposing apparatus, a plurality of shutters parallel to a plane, each of the shutters being movable between two positions, means defining a plurality of optical paths which pass through the shutters in a direction normal to the plane of the shutters, the optical paths having predetermined widths and paths adjacent in the direction of movement of the shutters being spaced apart a distance which is less than any of such widths, each of the shutters having formed therein a plurality of apertures which are in alignment with a predetermined number of the optical paths when the associated shutter is in both of its positions, means for selectively moving one or more of the shutters from one of the positions to the second position to align a plurality of the apertures in each of the shutters with a like number of the optical paths, and means for selectively passing light through one of the optical paths with which apertures in shutters are aligned.

6. In a photocomposing apparatus, a plurality of shutters parallel to a plane, means for mounting the shutters serially in a direction normal to the plane and for movement between two positions in a direction parallel to the plane, means defining a plurality of optical paths which pass through the shutters normally thereto, each of the shutters having formed therein a plurality of rows of apertures in alignment with predetermined ones of the optical paths when the associated shutter is in both of its positions, means for moving one or more of the shutters from a first of the positions to the second positions thereof to align predetermined rows of apertures in order to permit the transmission of light paths through the optical paths in alignment with such rows, and means for selectively transmitting a light path through a predetermined one of the optical paths.

7. In a photocomposing apparatus, a plurality of shutters parallel to a plane and disposed serially in a direction normal to the plane, means defining a plurality of parallel optical paths which pass through the shutters in a direction normal to the plane, each of the optical paths having a predetermined width and adjacent paths being spaced apart in one direction a distance which is less than such width, each of the shutters having a plurality of rows of apertures formed therein, means for moving the shutters between two positions such that the rows of apertures therein are moved from alignment with a iirst group of the optical paths to alignment with a second group of the optical paths, means for selectively moving one or more of the shutters from the first position to the second position to simultaneously align predetermined rows of the apertures in each shutter with a predetermined group of the optical paths, a plurality of light sources each of which is energizable to illuminate one of each group of optical paths, and means for selectively energizing one of the light sources upon the simultaneous alignment of rows of apertures in the shutters with the predetermined group of optical paths.

8. In a photocomposing apparatus for reproducing characters, a plurality of parallel shutters, each of the shutters being movable between two positions, means defining a plurality of 4optical paths which pass through the shutters, each of the optical paths having a predetermined width and paths adjacent in the direction of movement of the shutters being spaced apart a distance which is less than such width, a type font disposed parallel to the plane and having formed thereon a character in alignment with each optical path, each of the shutters having formed therein a plurality of apertures each of which is in alignment with an optical path when the associated shutter is in each of its positions, means for selectively moving one or more of the shutters to align -a predetermined number of apertures in each of the shutters simultaneously with a similar number of optical paths to render such paths light transmissive, a plurality of light sources each of which is associated with a predetermined number of the optical paths and with the characters on the font in alignment with such paths, and means for selectively energizing one of the light sources upon the simultaneous alignment of the apertures in the shutters with the optical paths to transmit an image of one of the characters through the optical path associated ltherewith.

9. In a photocomposing apparatus for reproducing characters, a plurality of shutters parallel to a vertical plane, means for mounting the shutters serially -in a horizontal direction and for vertical movement between two horizontal levels, means defining a plurality of optic-al paths which pass through the shutters normally thereto, each of the optical paths having a predetermined width and adjacent vertical paths being spaced apart a distance which is less than such width, each of the shutters having formed therein a plurality of horizontal rows of apertures with each aperture in alignment with one optical path when the associated shutter is at one of its horizontal levels and with the vertically adjacent optical path when the shutter is at its second horizontal level, a type font having the characters to be reproduced formed thereon in vertical and horizontal rows and so positioned that each character is in alignment with one of the optical paths, a plurality of light sources mounted adjacent to the type font with each light source operable to il1umi nate a vertical row of the characters on the font, means operated by the selection of a character for energizing one of the light sources and for moving one or more of the shutters from one of the horizontal levels to the second horizontal level to align simultaneously a predetermined horizontal row of apertures in each shutter with a horizontal row of the optical paths, and a receiving surface for reproducing thereon the character which is located at the intersection of the energized light source and the row of optical paths which are associated with the aligned rows of apertures in each shutter.

References Cited in the tile of this patent t UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,392,224 Bryce Jan. l, 1946 2,663,232 Drillick Dec. 22, 1953 2,767,628 Higonnet Oct. 23, 1956 2,803,178 Lotz Aug. 20, 1957 

